The Party, the Gun, and the Spider

We were at my grandparents’ cabin in the mountains, only it didn’t look anything like their cabin. Damian, my cousin, was planning a surprise birthday party for Mike, my cousin-in-law. There were family and friends helping to set up the party and some people were keeping Mike occupied somewhere else.

I was helping Damian set up the bar for the party – a very important job. He was telling me about how excited he was to throw this party and how great it was going to be a blast for Mike. I was just smiling thinking about how we were all going to have such a good time hanging out together. Damian went off to organize the rest of the party and left me with my job at the bar.

During this time, a group of friends approached me and handed me my gun. They gathered around me and in hushed voices explained, “Now’s the time. We have to go over and shoot the neighbor.”

I tried to keep a calm composure, but I was panicked! I didn’t want to shoot anyone. I knew I couldn’t get out of it. They wouldn’t take no for an answer. I looked around to try to find Damian to help me get out of there.

I found Lupe, Damian’s mom, and asked her where I could find him. She directed me to him and I tried to explain to him that I had to go and I needed his help. He was so busy organizing everyone for the surprise, all he told me was that I couldn’t leave when the party was just about to get started.

I went sulking away not knowing what to do. I decided to hide my gun, which was pink, by the way. I tried to remain inconspicuous. However, when Mike arrived, he was so thrilled and pumped to party that he was cheering and hugging each person there, drawing plenty of attention to anyone around him. I couldn’t escape him, plus I felt bad to sneak away without wishing him a happy birthday.

He hugged me saying, “Thank you so much for coming! This means so much to me. Are you ready to party?”

I politely nodded and squirmed out of his arms to blend in with the background, but as I was trying to avoid my friends, I walked right into their plotting again. This time they didn’t see me. I just overheard them discussing the plan to use the trees and bushes for cover to sneak over to the neighbor’s house and the noise from the party to cover up the sound of the gunshot. They were waiting for me.

I knew I needed Damian’s help. I saw him from across the room and tried to discreetly get his attention, but he never looked my way. As I tried to make my way over to him, people just kept getting in my way. I was bumping into everyone and being forced to go around groups that by the time I searched for his face again, he was gone from sight. I felt so upset and desperate. I didn’t know how to get myself out of this situation.

I went outside to get some fresh air and quiet. I saw a spider spinning its web. I did a double take, because I had never seen a spider so huge. It looked like a tarantula with fury legs, only larger. I’d say it was about the size of a small dog. I was so mesmerized by the size of the spider that I didn’t notice it moving closer to me. Once I realized it was getting closer to me, I just assumed it was spinning its web and it wouldn’t pay any attention to me.

I was wrong.

The spider shot its web at my arm. The web wrapped around my forearm. I pulled and clawed at the web, trying to free myself, but I couldn’t break loose. I ran against the pull of the spider and its web. I could feel the web burning the skin on my arm. The spider was getting closer and closer to me, but I just kept running with all my might. I finally broke loose and I ran back inside the cabin.

I could feel tears forming in my eyes as I looked down and saw the red mark across my arm. Again, I searched for Damian to show him my injury and warn him about the monster spider lurking around outside. I couldn’t find him anywhere. I felt so sad and frustrated. I just knew if I could only find him, he could help me with all the problems I was having.

That’s when I woke up. I woke up still feeling so upset. I felt shaken from the dream I had had. My sister came into my room and I was telling her about my dream and how Damian couldn’t help me. She responded, “What a jerk. He should have helped you.”

I looked at her confused and tried to explain, “No, Theresa. It was a dream. He didn’t do anything on purpose.” As I finished my statement, I looked down at my arm and saw the red mark on my arm. I looked back at my sister and that’s when I realized I was still dreaming.

I don’t remember the rest. I just remember feeling panicked, like I still had to get away from these “friends” who were plotting to shoot the neighbor. I woke up feeling so upset and confused by all that went on in my dream that I felt nauseous.